compulsion
an irresistible urge or force
Roots
- com-: with, together, complete, or intensified
- pel / puls: drive, push, force
Other words with the pel / puls root
- compel: to force or strongly drive
- compelling: forcefully convincing or gripping
- compulsive: driven by an irresistible urge
- expel: to drive out
- impel: to drive or urge forward
- impulse: sudden urge or push
- impulsive: acting on sudden urges
Compulsion is inner force: something pushes from inside.
He felt a compulsion to check the score even though the exam was over.